A VILLAGE play is under threat as the local post office, which served as its "box office", shut.

Elvington's post office closed its doors on November 8, and it could be many months before it reopens.

Lewis Jackson, of the Elvington Players, warned its latest production was in jeopardy after a slump in ticket sales.

Mr Jackson said: "For many years the village post office has supported Elvington Players by selling tickets. But now, theatre-goers are left without a box office and ticket sales have been affected."

Parish council chairman Ian Bailey said: "It is greatly regrettable that the closure of the village post office means that a number of organisations can no longer use it as an outlet for publicising and selling tickets for their events."

Mr Bailey added such organisations could still ask the local shop to help sell tickets.

The Elvington Players is due to stage its original show, Around The World In 80 Ways, from November 23 to 25. The show was devised and written by Mr Jackson.

Mr Bailey said: "The post office has temporarily closed and that is principally because Post Office Ltd was unable to find anyone to take over as a temporary sub-postmaster."

The Press reported last month how a local garage which offered to take on the business was turned down.

Mr Bailey said: "The parish council wrote to the Post Office asking it to review the unsuccessful application.

"We have had a reply, but it does not address the issue.

"Separately, there have been two further expressions of interest in the job, but it will take up to six months for the necessary paperwork to be gone through for them to be considered.

"In the meantime, there will not be post office facilities in the village, so people will have to travel to Leeman Road just to pick up a parcel - a one-hour return journey, plus the cost of car parking."

Despite the loss of the post office, tickets for the Elvington Players' show can be booked by phoning Gail Dean on 01904 608229 or emailing jacksonlewis@hotmail.com